Sometimes once watched a movie remains in memory forever. These include the movie "Sweet November." Every second spectator hurries to leave a review of this picture, because it tells about the most important thing - about love.
Two films - one look at love
The picture, which appeared on our screens in 2001, captivated the audience and critics with its plot, high-quality shooting and a decent play of actors. But only a few know that the film "Sweet November" (public comment about which was rather ambiguous) is a remake of the 1968 picture.
With all the positive comments, the film “November-2” was nominated for an anti-award under the title “Golden Raspberry” in the nominations “Worst Leading Role” (Charlize Theron) and “Worst sequel”. However, this did not affect the love of the audience.
As for the original of the 1968 film, at one time it also provoked a positive reaction and gained a lot of fans. A significant difference from the remake we knew was time and image style. Many describe the impressions of the first film as a theatrical performance. The unity of time and place, a smooth shooting style, very beautiful costumes and makeup, delicate musical accompaniment - all this creates the impression of theatricality. This is deprived of the second film. Their plot is identical, but the difference in image style is enormous. Although the public’s response to the second film “Sweet November” was rather mixed, the film still found its connoisseurs.
The plot of the 1968 film
The main action takes place around two main characters - men and women. Charles is a young successful businessman, Sarah is an unemployed woman who lives one day.
The plot of the film "Sweet November" begins with their meeting. This picture will leave a review in your heart. The meeting takes place on the exam for passing traffic rules. The strange girl is brazenly trying to write off Charles, and also taps him on the back with her long nails so that he prompts her the answer. A harsh examiner, not understanding the situation, expels Charlie from the audience.
It was not destined for him to write tests, since he was distracted by a call from the office, and the time for completion was over. But the angry businessman saw the heady. She introduced herself and offered to meet. After a meeting, they drive home to Sarah. Charlie is so passionate for the first time. He is a little bewildered and does not know that he will find true love that will turn his whole life ...
Remake (2001)
Thirty-three years later, the name Sweet November will reappear on movie posters. Despite the fact that the same plot was taken as the basis, it will be a completely independent, new film.
The new picture "Sweet November" (reviews, plot, see below) did not leave indifferent either critics or ordinary viewers.
The events of the film and the plot moves repeat the predecessor: there is a pedantic and serious advertising agent Nelson Moss and eccentric, bright Sarah Deaver - a lively and unusual girl who took on the role of a seductress-savior. A chance meeting results in a chain of dates that show Nelson who is chasing after a career and affairs what real life is. Only now Sarah, who turned Moss's life over the course of a month, confronts him with the fact that she will be with him only in November. The reason for this is the girl’s tragic secret.
Melodrama "Sweet November" (1968): reviews, reviews
The picture of 1968 was remembered by the audience not only for its non-trivial plot, but also for the decent play of the actors and the scenery.
Reviews about the film were positive. He is shot in an interesting theatrical manner. At that time in the life of the cinema, when the shooting possibilities were limited, the operators managed to emphasize surprisingly beautiful and relevant moments. What is only the smooth movement of the camera, opening the eyes of Sarah from under her huge hat. The audience also liked some kind of childlike innocence of the picture, its chastity and tenderness in the relations of the heroes. They glow with passion for each other, do not allow themselves anything superfluous, their relationship is tender and sincere.
The second film "Sweet November": reviews and description
The film work, which pleased us in 2001, was deprived of the attention of the audience for some time due to the avalanche of negative criticism that fell on it. Golden Raspberry nominations added bitterness to Irish director Pat O'Connor. Nevertheless, the picture has many admirers. Charlize Theron was mostly blamed for her terrible game. It seemed that this talented actress worked "at half strength." Is this so, or did she decide in her own way to simulate the image of Sarah and could not repeat Sandy Dennis's game, it is difficult to answer. Criticized by the film and conservative viewers who saw the first picture.
Nevertheless, the melodrama "Sweet November" received critical reviews rather easily, as it met with many positive reviews from the audience. The film was called a decent, high-quality film work that you want to review.
A bit about the actors
The role of Sarah in the original film was played by Sandy Dennis. This wonderful actress is known to viewers in the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and an Oscar nomination for her role in this film. On the set of the movie "Sweet November" Dennis came at the peak of her fame in cinema. Sarah in her performance turned out to be very bright, lively, unusual. Thanks to the actress, this image set the atmosphere and pace of the entire film.
In the remake, Sarah was played by Charlize Theron. This is a wonderful actress who is fully accustomed to her roles. It is completely not clear why so much criticism fell on Charlize, because her Sarah was a worthy heiress to Dennis.
The role of Sarah's beloved went to the audience's favorite - Keanu Reeves. Their couple with Theron turned out to be quite organic due to the fact that they were not the first to meet on the set. Prior to this, the actors played spouses in the film "Devil's Advocate." Reeves perfectly showed a closed from the world, focused advertising agent and a romantic guy who only now realized that love exists. The picture "Sweet November" (reviews of the film for some reason bypassed Reeves' game) turned out to be very lively. The actor played surprisingly sincere and honest, you believe him, as well as his tears and sincere feelings for Sarah, which arose from bewilderment and surprise at the girl’s lifestyle and extravagant behavior.
In the movie "Sweet November" in 1968, the role of Charles went to Anthony Newley. This actor in early childhood survived the bombing in London during World War II. Later, Anthony's relatives said that the penetrating gaze of his not childishly wise eyes arose after what was experienced and seen. Among Newley's track record is the role of Oliver Twist in the film of the same name, although other children's roles were also quite strong. Soon he grew out of children's cinema and took his rightful place in more "adult" films. Newly was already fully prepared for the shooting in the melodrama "Sweet November." He brought to the film his talent and a game that captivates from the first shots. They made a very harmonious couple with Sandy Dennis, which helped them to show the sublime love of the main characters very truthfully and sincerely.
Ratings
The first film "Sweet November" (IMDb rating of 7.20) is considered more successful than the 2001 remake, which has a rating of 6.70. But everyone can give a true assessment on their own, looking at both options. Despite the fact that the sequel was twice nominated for the Golden Raspberry Award, he also entered the rating of 250 films that you want to watch. Probably, the audience turned out to be more friendly and rated the film softer than the critics. Not the last role was played by fans of Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, who were many at the time of the film's release.
It is worth seeing this picture on your own, because the rating figures are a very dubious assessment. Each viewer decides for himself whether he liked the film or if he wasted the time watching it.
Which option to choose?
Watch or not watch movies, decide the audience. Both melodramas are pretty good, each in its own way. Despite the general plot, the pictures turned out to be completely different and independent, each with its own unique atmosphere and heroes. The thirty years difference between the films helped the director of the sequel to radically change the scenery and lifestyle of the characters.
Both melodramas tell about true, sincere and bright love. She is destined to live forever, despite the forced separation of heroes. Advises to get acquainted with these film works. We recommend that you watch the new version first, this will give her the opportunity to appear before the viewer in all its glory and without comparisons. But the first film is not afraid of it, because it is a very beautiful lyrical melodrama with notes of sadness and sparkling humor. Happy viewing!